À cent à l’heure – Arnold Kontz Group, déjà un siècle

To mark its 100th birthday, the Arnold Kontz group has retraced its history, from its beginnings in the cycle business to its move into prestige cars, through a collectible tome published by Maison Moderne.

For the family business a book of this sort is an opportunity to look back at the past, examine the company’s evolution over the course of a century filled with technological innovations, social developments and political events, but it’s also a moment to project itself into the future. A real collector's item, À cent à l’heure (literally, a hundred an hour) is also a tribute to a fourth generation Luxembourg entrepreneurial family.

“As a Luxembourg family business we undoubtedly have a role to play in the Grand Duchy and we have seized the opportunity with this book to show what it is.”
Tommy Kontz & Benji Kontz

The 264-page book is divided into 10 decades and richly illustrated with 345 original photographs. It covers high points in the company’s existence, such as the opening of the first cycle shop in 1917 and the creation of the AKOR bicycle brand in 1921, as well as the closure of the BMW-MINI strand of the business in 2016 and the launch of four prestigious British brands – Jaguar, Aston Martin, Lotus and Rover – in Luxembourg.

The Kontz family wanted to give a voice to the ambassadors of the four British brands it represents and to the aficionados who have been following the company for many decades. Its evolution is illustrated with period and current photographs.

Much more than just history, À cent à l’heure is also a testament to the men and women who contributed to the success of the company that is now a benchmark in the automobile trade, both in Luxembourg and the Greater Region.